Hat blocking and rebuilding machine



July l1, W Q PEEBLES 1,918,192

HAT BLOCKING AND REBUILDING MACHINE Original Filed July l, 1929 5.5heetS-Shee' l W0.joeeej/NVENTUR.

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.AI TTORNE Y.

Juy 11, 1933. w Q PEEBLES 1,918,192

HAT BLOCKING AND REBUILDING IACHINE Qriginal Filed July l, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 WeezeA/VENTOR.

BY gm A TTORNE Y.

July 11, 1933.

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Original Filed July l. 1929 W. O. PEEBLES HAT BLOCKING AND REBUILDING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 o m s N n w. 1 N 11 u ML E WaloeZeQ'lNl/ENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

July 1l, 1933. w Q PEEBLES 1,918,192

HAT BLOCKING AND REBUILDING MACHINE Original Filed July l, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 M1 i i Y WQQeZeJJ/A'l '597012.

BY www HAT BLOCKING AND REBUILDING MACHINE Original Filed July l, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Wajoeeej/NVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented July l1, 1933 UNITED STATES WILLIAM 0. PEEBLES, F STATESBORO, GEORGIA HAT BLOCKING AND REB'UILDING MACHINE Application filed July l, 1929, Serial No. 375,222. Renewed December 5, 1832.

This invention relates to hat blocking and rebuilding machines and has for an oblect the provision of a machiner by means of which a hat may be blocked and flanged without the use of the usual brim cloth, so that the hat may be blocked and rebuilt in practically onehalf the usual time.

Another' object of the invention is the provision of a machine by means of which an ironing elect is obtained by moving the hat in contact with the machine, which eliminates the ordinary hand iron so that the' operation may be performed with less labor and within a much shorter time.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.`

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front View of the machine.

Figure 2 is a top View.

Figure 3 is an end view.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the lower steam plate.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the upper steam chamber with thel steam plate removed.

Figure 6 is a plan View of the upper steam chamber with the steam plate in position and the fabric cover removed.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 7-7 of Figure 8.

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In order to provide convenient space for working, the machine includes a table having a top 10' which is supported upon a' frame 11 of suitable construction. Rising from the rear edge of the top 10 is a back 12, While the frame 11 which supports the table top may be provided with securing elements 13.

Mounted above the top of the ta ble and supported by a standard 14 is a housing l5.. This housing is attached to the standard by' means of bolts 16, While bolts 17 serve to secure the standard to the top of the table.

The housing 15 is divided by means of partitions 18 and 19 arranged in triangle formation to provide an upper horizontal steam chamber 20, a lower inclined steam chamber 21 and an intermediate chamber 22. The upper steam chamber has its top Wall 23 removably secured in place and this Wall and the partition 18 are both horizontally arranged. The Wall 23 is provided with steam escape openings 24 and defines a Steam plate through which steam supplied to the chamber 20 may escape.

The lower steam chamber 21 has its bottom Wall 25 inclined and the partition 19 is likewise inclined as shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. This bottom Wall 21 is perforated as shown at 26, the perforations exltending preferably from the upper front edge of the Casin slightly beyond the center so that this Wal? 25 also provides a steam plate. The Wall or steam plate 25 is preferably covered with a canvas cover 27 of suitable weight and the upper wall or steam plate 23 of the chamber 2O is likewise covered with a suitable canvas cover 28. Onc or more thicknesses of canvas may be utilized and if desired, a felt or other padding may be interposed between the steam plate 23 and the canvas cover to provide an ironing Surface. o

Located within the steam chamber 20 is a steam nozzle 29 to which steam is supplied through a pipe 30 from a steam line 31. A steam nozzle 32 is located Within the steam chamber 21 and steamis supplied to this nozzle through a. pipe 33 from the steam line 3-1.

pipe 34 which connects with the steam line 31 supplies steam to the intermediate chamber 22 through an inlet port 35 while a steam escape port 36 may be in cormnunication with a boiler through a steam return pipe 37.

A steam exhaust port 38 is provided in the chamber 20 and this port communicates with an exhaust passage 39 provided in the standard 14. A steam exhaust port 4() is provided for the chamber 21 which communicates with an exhaust passage 41 also provided in the standard 14;.

The nozzle 29 of the chamber 20 is provided with an extension 42 which is open at its outer end and is positioned adjacent the exhaust port 38, so that steam escaping from this end of the nozzle will pass outward through the port 38 and provide suficient suction Within the chamber 20 to draw oil condensation. A similar extension 43 is provided for the nozzle 32 for the same purose.

The partition 18 is provided with normally closed openings 44, by means of which access may be had to the chamber 22.

A petcock 45 is provi-ded in the steam pipe 3l to draw ollA condensation from the pipes after the machine has been idle for an appreciable period. A gasket 46 is interposed between the casing l5 and the standard '14 to provide a steam-proof joint.

in order to control the admission of steam to the chamber 20, the pipe 30 is provided with a valve 47. This valve is controlled by a spring influenced foot pedal 48 which is connected with the valve by a rod or stem 49, so that by pressing downward upon the foot pedal the valve will be opened while the spring will close the valve when pressure is released.

The pipe 33 is provided with a valve 50 which controls the admission of steam to the chamber 21 and this valve is controlled by a spring influenced foot pedal 51 which is connected to the valve by means of a stem or rod 52. A suitable valve may be included in the pipe 34 to control the admission of steam to the chamber 22.

Located beneath the casing 15 are spaced stands 53 whose upper surfaces are inclined yas shown at 54. These stands are used for holding the flange stand in the operation of Hanging the hat brim.

In the use of the machine, steam is admitted to the chamber 22 and continuously supplied thereto for the purpose of heating the casing and keeping the same at a proper temperature to prevent or reduce condensation in the chambers 2() and 21. The hat to be flanged is arranged in the usual manner except that it is not necessary to cover the brim with a cloth as the fabric covering -27 of the steam plate 25 serves for this purpose. lt will thus be apparent that the fabric cover 27 serves as a permanent Hanging cloth instead of requiring the application of a cloth to each individual brim. The brim is moved upward and outward in contact with the cloth 27 and at the same time the hand of the .perator works the brim into proper shape until the brim has been properly flanged.

The crown of the hat is then blocked by moving the same over the upper steam plate 23 in contact with the fabric cover 28. In

`.this operation, the hat is turned with a smoothing action over the cloth 28 to obtain the proper ironing effect, the iron in this case being stationary instead of movable as is the case with the ordinary hand iron.

The stands 54 form a valuable adjunct to the machine, in that they hold the liange stand close enough to the wall 27 so that only the least bit of pressure on the outside of the flange stand, irons and steams the brim of the hat as it is pulled out from under the machine.

For convenience, the machine further iiicludes a spinning plate 55 upon which may be mounted the usual block 56 as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. This plate is rotated by means of a worm gear 57 which is carried by suitable supports 58 depending from the under face of the top of the table, while a motor 59 is provided to drive the gearing. The motor may be controlled by a suitable switch 60.

The shape of the housing 15 especially adapts it for the purpose intended. By providing a flat horizontal top and rightangled side walls, the crown of the hat may be rolled over the top with the brim extended along the side walls so that a proper ironing clfect may be obtained. By inclining the bottom, the hat brim may be drawn upward and outward in contact with the bottom with suflicient pressure to iron the brim, the operation being facilitated by the guides 53.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. In a hat blocking machine, a casing including an upper steam chamber having steam escape openings therein, a fabric cover for the openings, a lower steam chamber also having steam escape openings therein, a fabric cover for the last mentioned openings, an intermediate chamber, separate manually operated means to control a supply of steam to the upper and lower chambers. and means to provide for a continuous supply of heat to the intermediate chamber.

2. In a hat blocking machine, a casing including an upper steam chamber having steam escape openings therein, a fabric cover for the openings, a lower steam chamber also having steam escape openings therein, a fabric cover for the last mentioned openings, an intermediate chamber, separate manually controlled means to supply steam to the upper and lower chambers, exhaust outlets for the upper and lower chambers, means to direct steam to said outlets to provide a suction and draw condensation from the chambers,

and means to provide for a continuous supply of heat to the intermediate chamber.

3. In a hat blocking machine, a casing including an upper steam chamber having steam escape openings therein, a fabric cover 'i tically disposed inclined guides below the lower inclined wall, and separate manually controlled means to supply steam to the upper and lower chambers.

5. In a hat blocking machine, a table, a-

stationary housing supported above said table and having a flat top horizontallyy disposed ironing wall, an inclined bottom ironing wall, side and end walls connecting the top and bottom walls and arranged at right angles with respect thereto, said top and bottom walls having steam escape openings therein, fabric coverings for said top and bottom walls, means to supply steam to the housing for passage through said openings and coverings, means to control the steam supply, guide members mounted upon the table below the housing, and inclined top edges for said guide members.

6. In a hat blocking machine, a stationary ironing unit comprising a housing including a horizontally disposed top ironing wall and a relatively inclined bottom ironing wall, partitions in said housing and disposed in substantially triangle formation to provide an intermediate steam chamber and steam chambers between each of the walls and partitions, said walls having steam escape openings therein, a fabric covering for said walls, and means to supply steam to said chambers.

ln testimony whereof I alli); my signature.

WILLIAM O. PEEBLES. 

